Kay County OK Obit for: Homer Darrell 'Soapy' Blair 
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Submitted to the archives by:Claudia Thiry, workfarm@kskc.net
Date submitted: 2/27/2003 
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November 12, 1998

Homer Darrell 'Soapy' Blair

Homer Darrell "Soapy" Blair, longtime Newkirk area resident, died early 
Friday evening, November 6, 1998 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, 
Ponca City. He was 83.

The son of Charles Fred and Sally (Shelton) Blair, he was born February 
26, 1915 at Perry, Oklahoma. 

In 1922 the family moved to Three Sands, Oklahoma where his dad worked in 
the oil fields and as a boxing coach for the oil companies. 

He grew up and received his education in the Three Sands area and was 
introduced to the sport of boxing before he was old enough to start school. 

After finishing school he traveled around the country working in oil fields 
and boxing.

On October 8, 1938 he and Mildred Marqurite Gumm were married in Perry.
 
They lived all over the United States while he worked as a boiler maker 
and construction worker. 

In 1943 the couple moved to Newkirk where he has since resided.

Although he never won any major titles in the over 300 matches he fought, 
he built a reputation for training award winning boxing teams which produced 
several Golden Gloves and National Champions. 

He worked to instill confidence in young people and taught them the 
importance of hard work and training.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Newkirk, the Boiler 
Makers Union #592, and the Sheriff's Reserve. In addition to boxing, he 
enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading.

His survivors include one son and his wife, Charles and Glenna Blair of 
Newkirk; one brother, George "Buck" Blair of Houston, Texas; one sister, 
Oneta Dungan of Tonkawa; and one grandson, Cody Blair of Newkirk.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred on August 2, 1995, his 
parents, and one brother, Loren Blair.

Funeral services were held at 10 am Tuesday, November 10 in the Newkirk 
First United Methodist Church with Dr. William R. Chace officiating. 

Burial followed in Union Cemetery, Billings under the direction of Miller-
Stahl Funeral Service.
Those serving as casket bearers were Charles Houser, Harry Wayne Johnston, 
Mark Perez, Joe Schieber, A. D. "Donnie" Williamson, and Tony Vap.

A memorial fund has been established with the First United Methodist Church. 

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